Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

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14259 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Andrew Walker

Reviewed February 2023

Tropical Paradise

A wonderful trip. Packed with things to see from the start. David was a fantastic guide. So knowledgable and enthusiastic.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing macaws flying in the wild.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As already said, he was brilliant. It takes something to get me out of bed before sunrise on holiday, but I did it several times. He also suggested very good extras and also when it appeared we might miss out on something, he got it sorted. Also, the driver, Victor worked well with David. A real dynamic duo.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When in Manuel Antonio grab a cold drink from the supermarket and sit on the beach with the locals to watch the sunset.

Rosie Walker

Reviewed February 2023

Wonderful bird life

Very enjoyable trip. Slightly disappointed in the accommodation at Manuel Antonio otherwise absolutely no complaints

Most Inspirational Moment

Really enjoyed Manuel Antonio Park and beach

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Very knowledgeable about birds and animals. Also very informative about Costa Rica generally

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on every activity you can. It’s a varied and wonderful country

Michael Graves

Reviewed February 2023

Amazing places but too many packed in for me

Scotia, Tsitsikamma, Hermanus, Ngysna, Table mountain and sailing in the bay at Cape Town were all great. There were lots of other places we visited that were still interesting but I would have preferred to have visited fewer places but be able to stay in them for longer. I was a first time solo traveller though so maybe others would have different expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up in Tsitsikamma.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Petro was amazing, so much energy and enthusiasm.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack lighter than I did, cheap but excellent laundry facilities are provided at De Rust.

Joe Scarborough

Reviewed February 2023

One of a Kind Cycle Tour Kerala India

My wife and I had a fabulous trip on the Cycle Kerala & Tropical India tour. I think with any cycling trips the key thing is the trip leader and accompanying maintenance staff and co leader. Safi the trip leader did a fantastic job along with Frank and Shaker who helped Safi with all the various jobs required to make things run smoothly. Safi was extremely organized and dealt efficiently with anything that came up. The food and excursions were all very good and very interesting with great cultural involvement . I think this trip was absolutely a “bucket list ” scenario for myself and my wife. The trip stands above many that I have done.

Most Inspirational Moment

I wouldn't pin it down to one moment as the interaction with many local people on the trip and interesting conversations was a highlight . The people are very friendly and open to many topics of conversation. I enjoyed the climb to Ooty with all the hair pin turns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I would give Safi 10 out of 10. Great guy, smart, organized, fit, and calmly dealt with any issues that came up. Can't say enough positives about him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would suggest that someone best suited for this would be flexible with any issues that come up, a decent cyclist (only moderate fitness is required as only 1 day requiring a higher fitness state) , likes riding in warm weather, and does a bit of homework before trip on what to expect in India as far as traffic, culture, food , etc...

colin weeden

Reviewed February 2023

Disappointing

We booked our own flights with BA and flew direct from Heathrow to Santiago and back again with no problems. We were told to beware picking up a taxi at the airport so pre booked one with Exodus. It was not there when we exited the airport and we had 15 minutes of hassle from taxi touts before it arrrived. Not a good start. After our Day Visit to Valparaiso we were told to be in the Hotel lobby ready to leave at 9.00 am for our flight to Calama. 3 hours later we get a phone call ( or note pushed under the door) to say the flight has been changed and we are now to meet at 4.00 am !!!. This happened with 2 more of our scheduled flights leaving earlier but only being told at the very last minute. On one flight we did not get the late message at all and had a 5am knock on the door whilst still in bed, saying the coach was waiting to leave. In the scrabble to get dressed and pack our cases my wife lost an expensive braclet. These last minute flight changes also meant missing 3 decent hotel breakfasts and instead having a “picnic” box of a dried sandwich, biscuit and drink. Most went into the bin. As a consequnce of the early departure from Calama, we then had to wait over 4 hours in Santiago airport for our connecting flight to Puerto Montt. Fortunately the group did not let it spoil our holiday and the Atacama and Patagonia were both excellent experiences. We have been on about 20 guided tours all over the world (including 6 in Central/South America )with various companies and have graded them 4/5 stars. This was our first with Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the High Atacama Desert.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Felipe was a very nice person. He was personable and helpful on a one to one basis. He also had some nice touches in organising things for the group. But, unfortunately, he was not a strong group leader. For the first few days he did not give clear instructions on where and when to meet. On the walk around Santiago we just wandered around some streets with little idea of their history or what to look for. He was not able to project his voice to cover our group of 14. There were also lots of little things, like when we were in the Atacama we constantly had to ask for the air conditioning to be switched on in the mini bus. Luckily, we had a very compatible and easy going group and over the 2 weeks we found our own ways of working things out. I could see him leading a small Private Tour very effectively.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Of the 12 days in Chile, half of the time is, in effect, spent in travelling. Prices in Chile are at least comparable or more expensive than in the UK. Even the same Chilean wine that you can buy in the UK is more expensive there. Consider booking your own flghts to avoid long changeovers.

Mark Kushner

Reviewed February 2023

Enjoyable And Experiential Trip

Very good itinerary for discovering the many ecosystems in Costa Rica. Several good optional activities. Glenda wanted everyone to enjoy the trip and helped to make it enjoyable. Charlie, the bus driver, did an excellent job driving the back roads safely and was sensitive to those who needed to use the toilets regularly. Only 1 hotel was very good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda is very knowledgeable about wildlife and about birds in particular. And best of all she identified for me all the pictures of birds that I took. I will always be grateful to her for that. And she also wants to make it an enjoyable trip for everyone. However, her employer did not give her the tools needed to make her an effective guide. (1) Her company and herself was not able to give me information about the tour start and meeting point despite 2 days of calls to the company and trying to reach her. So the trip started with great frustration. (2) Glenda did not have an electronic communication device. Therefore when she spoke in the front of the bus or boat I could no hear her when I sat at the back. (3) She was not completely informed about all the optional activities that were contained in the Exodus travel guide. If I had not asked her about the kayaking option we would not have gone on that important part of our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only expect level 3 accommodations. At 2 rain forest hotels there was no temperature control in the rooms- only fans. So we were hot and sweating all the time. The only level 1 hotel was Sevegre Hotel.

Mark Poelstra

Reviewed February 2023

Egypy

Amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The People and the organisation,all perfect.

Thoughts on Group Leader

First Class

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now

David Shaw

Reviewed February 2023

Trip of a lifetime

Besides the spectacular peaks and fresh mountain air, the residing memory was how attentive and hard working the staff were, from guides to porters. Every need taken care of without complaint, always with a smile and humble attitude. A joy to experience and a pleasure to be part of the group. Met some lovely people and gained interesting incites into the local culture, people and mountains. Thank you Exodus and to Oz and his team. The landscape was majestic….my favourite mountains were Ama Dablam and Cholatse. The most rewarding day was crossing the Cho La pass, via the Ngozumpa glacier. Incredible. Every day was a highlight and the wake up cup of tea was a blessing !

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the first view of the Ngozumpa glacier which looks like the surface of th moon and subsequent Cho La Pass,

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ozzy was extremely knowledge, likeable and ensured everything was taken care of from start to finish. A great asset to your company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book....you won't regret it. To be experienced in person for yourself.

Marie Claude Alderson

Reviewed January 2023

A great adventure led by an excellent team

The group made this adventure by being friendly, easy going and ready for anything. The team led by Labane was efficient and fun to be with. Labane was organised and so knowledgeable, Ibrahim produced excellent meals in all sorts of conditions and his soups were exceptional, Tim or Mr T drove the truck with dexterity on very bumpy tracks and Alex or junior helped with everything and spoke excellent English(he will make a good leader soon). We saw the Big Five plus many more and even the migration on the last day in the Serengeti. We covered a lot of ground in the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro crater. Labane could tell us everything about each animal. The tents were quite small for 2 people but we learned not to take our big bag but only the clothes needed for the next day. Our bags were kept in a locker on the truck and respecting the size is important as it will not fit if too full. The showers were of varying quality but mostly fine. Zanzibar offered a pleasant relaxing time in a bed. Stone town was a nice little town with an interesting museum about slavery. The beach at Sunset beach was what you dream of, white sand and turquoise sea.

Most Inspirational Moment

When we saw the first giraffes and the first lions on the first night. The migration was a great moment too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can only praise Labane for his knowledge of the animals, the tribes and the traditions. Every evening he made sure we were all happy and told us of the plans for the next day. He was always pleasant and looked after all our needs. he was very aware of the needs of each of us. They got on so well with Ibrahim, the chef, Tim, the driver and Alex the trainee leader and they would spring into action every evening as soon as we stopped to set up camp. I would love to do another trip with the same team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The tents are a little small for two people who share for the first time. Bring a warm sleeping bag as the evenings are cold in January. A head torch is essential to navigate around the camp. Avoid black and navy clothes as they attract the Tse Tse fly. Any colour clothes as you don't really leave the truck. A bird book is handy to look up the many birds. Most prices are in dollars but you get a better rate in local currency.

Sylvia Andrews

Reviewed January 2023

Coastal Costa Rica- great trip, but room for improvement.

Very good wildlife viewing in the reserves. We were lucky with the weather overall. There are some long days on the bus as would be expected and almost all the days are very early starts with a bit of a rush for breakfast. The accommodation was good on the whole but we were disappointed that in several places our accommodation was not the usual and probably downgraded. This is arranged through Tui in Costa Rica apparently and being high season the Savegre Lodge could not take all our group. The nights in the Suria hotel were cold with inadequate heating in the rooms although the bedding was sufficient. The local guides were good in Tortuguero but not so good in Drake bay. Our Exodus guide Guillermo was excellent. There was only one opportunity for snorkelling (Cano Island), the first session was very disappointing as you have to follow the guide. We were dropped in deep water with very little to see. The second session was a little better but we still couldnt go where we liked as there were so many groups in the water.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Blackwater canals in Tortuguero. Getting close to an anteater and racoons. A sloth just above our heads with a baby while walking in Cahuita. Some of us saw quetzals in Savegre and the hummingbirds were great!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. He really knew his stuff and his English was perfect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walk in La Marta is fairly steep and slippery. When we did it it was wet and it would be useful to have a walking pole for safety. A cheap poncho would be worth getting as well as your normal waterproof jacket. They are provided on the boats in Tortuguero where getting drenched is likely (We were lucky in January). Overall there were less mosquitos than we thought (using Trek Sensitive) The guide said that the drinks at Drake Bay were reasonably priced but we didn't agree. Pack a wooly hat and gloves for Savegre as it can be frosty standing around especially if you are going to leave before dawn for the quetzals.

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